Classical Greek J292,05 June 2023

1. Pentheus’ Conflict with Dionysus: The king’s disbelief, his aggressive questioning, and his eventual manipulation by Dionysus.

2. Dionysus’ Divine Power and Influence: His effortless capture, his miraculous escape, and his calm defiance against Pentheus.

3. Themes of Madness and Control: Pentheus’ growing obsession, Dionysus’ gradual manipulation, and how the god subtly dominates the king’s thoughts and actions.

4. Dramatic Tension and Irony: Pentheus’ threats against Dionysus, the audience’s awareness of Dionysus’ true power, and the foreshadowing of Pentheus’ downfall.

5. Religious and Cultural Contrast: The clash between rational skepticism and divine mystery, the Bacchic rituals, and Pentheus’ rejection of Dionysian worship.

6. Moral Ambiguity in the Play: Whether the audience sympathizes more with Pentheus as a doomed mortal or Dionysus as a vengeful god, and how Euripides plays with the audience’s expectations.